Class AAA Boys
100 Meter Dash
This pretty close, but Capital's Breece Hoff led throughout and took the win in 11.35.
Spring Mills took the next two spots with Zion Stanard and Zilan Williams clocking
11.41 and 11.46, respectively. Parkersburg's Tyler Moler was 4th in 11.48. Cabell
Midland's Cole Burd was 5th in 11.54 with Wheeling Park's Justin Levelle taking
6th in 11.58.
RunWV's Current Score: 5 of 6.
200 Meter Dash
If Sebastian Spencer is the current face of sprinting in the State, Spring Mills Freshman
Zilan Williams may be the future, moving into the lead down the stretch and taking the
win in 22.21. Parkersburg's Tyler Moler led much of the race and settled for 2nd in
22.28. Wheeling Park's Torrence Walker was 3rd in 22.44. Cabell Midland's Cole
Burd was 4th in 22.73. Wheeling Park's Justin Levelle was 5th in 22.77. Teammate
Sincere Sinclair was 6th in 22.97, giving Wheeling Park 3 of the 6 placers. One of my
predicted placers had the top qualifying time but scratched from the final.
RunWV's Current Score: 10 of 12.
400 Meter Dash
Spring Mills dominated the event with Kobe O'Niel running strong throughout and taking
the win in 49.75. Teammate Jacob Michael was very strong down the stretch to move
into 2nd at 50.19. Riverside's Trevor Carson was a solid 3rd in 50.66. Greenbrier
East's Justin Sexton held a solid 4th in 51.38. Parkersburg's Ethan Rutherford
grabbed the 5th spot from the 1st heat in 51.57. Spring Mills added a 3rd placer with Mason
Williams taking 6th in 51.95.
RunWV's Current Score: 15 of 18.
800 Meter Run
Riverside's Trevor Carson took the field out aggressively, leading out of the break.
He was trailed by Preston's Trey Smith-Tatham. By the 200 meter mark, Carson had a
good 3 meters on the field. Carson would continue to lead through the bell, coming through
at 56 with a couple meters on Woodrow Wilson's Chris Barbera who was also at 56. George
Washington's Jacob Birurakis was right behind him in 57. Smith-Tatham was in 4th with
Cabell Midland's Brett Armbruster in 5th, also at 57. I think it was Hurricane's
Wyatt Hanshaw in 6th at 58. On the 2nd lap, things got competitive. Birurakis made
a move in the turn to try to go around Barbera, and Barbera responded. The short battle brought
them right up on Carson and opened a small gap back to 4th. Barbera edged past Carson as
they came out of the turn. Birurakis followed suit and surged forward ahead of Barbera about
midway down the backstretch. The surge carried through the 600 meter mark, and he had opened
about a 2 meter lead. Carson was still right behind Barbera, and Armbruster was starting to
move around Smith-Tatham. Birurakis would lead through the turn, but Barbera was closing, and
as they exited the turn, Barbera moved around and into the lead. Carson was trying to make a
move to the inside, pulling even iwth Birurakis, but Birurakis would fend that off and try
to keep pace with Barbera. Barbera kept checking to his inside to make sure no one was coming,
checking at least 5 times down the stretch. He had plenty of company, but no one could quite
make it back to him, and Barbera took the win in 1:55.22. Birurakis stayed very close at 1:55.50
for 2nd. Carson was also under 1:56 with a 1:55.99 for 3rd. Armbruster was always right there
but remained in 4th, finishing in 1:56.31. A tight finish saw Wheeling Park's Ronnie Saunders
slip into the 5th spot in 1:59.05 Wyatt Hanshaw snagging the 6th spot in the last steps in 1:59.11.
Smith-Tatham had the heartbreaker at 1:59.16 for 7th.
RunWV's Current Score: 19 of 24.
1600 Meter Run
They went out fairly strong with several lead changes in the first lap. After 400 meters,
it was George Washington's Jacob Birurakis in the lead at 1:03. Wheeling Park's Ronnie
Saunders was in 2nd with the same time. Preston's Cole Friend was in 3rd, also at
1:03. I think it was Hurricane's Wyatt Hanshaw in 4th at 1:04. Woodrow Wilson's Chris
Barbera was in 5th, and I think it was Parkersburg's Benajmin Lake in 6th, both also
at 1:04. On the 2nd lap, Birurakis would open a small gap on the backstretch, but did not
pull away. He would continue to lead through the half-way point in 2:09. Friend was in 2nd,
also at 2:09. Barbera was in 3rd in 2:10 with Hanshaw and Lake matching that in 4th and 5th.
Saunders was in 6th at 2:11. Those six were pretty much running in a single file line through
the first turn of lap 3, and they had opened over 5 meters over the rest of the field. On the
backstretch, Friend would move into the lead. Through the turn and into the frontstretch,
Friend would open a lead of a couple meters, but at the bell, it would be smaller. Friend
led at the bell at 3:14 with Birurakis in 2nd just a stride back at 3:15. Barbera was another
stride back, also at 3:15. Hanshaw was in 4th at 3:17 with Saunders matching that time in 5th.
Lake was in 6th at 3:18. Friend continued to lead through the turn but things were tightening
up. Birurakis made the first move with about 290 to go as he surged past Friend into the lead.
Barbera would quickly respond and move into 2nd. Friend tried to hold them off but was unable.
Heading into the turn, they were pretty much single file...Birurakis, Barbera, Friend. As they
started into the turn, Birurakis and Barbera started to get away from Friend. Birurakis continued
to lead through the turn. He swung slightly wide, and Barbera shifted from moving to the outside
and headed inside. With about 60 to go Barbera pulled even and was just able to move ahead down
the stretch for the win in 4:15.38. That is the 10th Best All-Time State Meet Performance
and the 10th Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. He was under 60 seconds on
the final lap. Birurakis just missed making those lists with his 2nd place run of 4:15.59. Friend
would just hold onto the 3rd spot in 4:20.35 as Saunders closed well to finish in 4:20.94. Hanshaw
and Lake would maintain those final two spots with ease at 4:26.34 and 4:27.29, respectively. No
one else was under 4:35.
RunWV's Current Score: 24 of 30.
3200 Meter Run
Wheeling Park's Ronnie Saunders led the field out of the break, followed closely by
Preston's Cole Friend. The field stayed bunched up for the 1st lap with University's
Josh Edwards leading them through in 1:08. Also at 1:08 was Saunders. Friend was
in 3rd at 1:09 with Woodrow Wilson's Chris Barbera in 4th, Cabell Midland's Sam LeRose
in 5th, and George Washington's Jacob Birurakis in 6th, all at 1:09. There were 13 at
1:10 or better. On the 2nd lap, they stayed very close at the front with Edwards still in the
lead at 2:20 with Saunders, Barbera, and Friend matching that. LeRose was in 5th at 2:21 with
Parkersburg's Benjamin Lake in 6th also at 2:21. There were 7 in the front pack with
a string of 4 others just a couple steps back. A tight pack remained at the front through
3 laps, but they started to string out a little more. The front 7 had opened a noticeable
gap on the trail group at this point. Edwards continued to lead, coming through in 3:32 with
Saunders in 2nd, Barbera in 3rd, and Friend in 4th, each matching that time. Lake was in 5th
at 3:33 and Birurakis was in 6th with the same time. LeRose was starting to lose contact.
The front pack remained together through the 4th lap. Edwards continued to lead at 4:41 with Saunders
also at 4:41. Barbera and Friend were next at 4:42 with Birurakis matching that time in 5th.
Lake was in 6th at 4:43 with the lead 5 starting to open a small gap on him, but with # 7 now
well behind him. On lap 5, things started to shift a little. Edwards remained in the lead
at 5:51. Barbera moved into 2nd with the same time. Birurakis moved up to 3rd, still at 5:51.
Saunders was in 4th at 5:52. Friend was in 5th, also at 5:52. Lake was still in 6th at about 5:56.
On lap 6, the front 3 started to open a gap on the next two. Edwards continued to hold the
lead at 7:01 with Barbera and and Birurakis matching that time as they came through in single
file. Saunders was now solidly in control of 4th at 7:04 with Friend at 7:07 in 5th. Lake
was in 6th at 7:12. On the backstretch of lap 7, Birurakis made a bid for the lead and would
take it as they headed into the turn. On the homestretch of the 7th lap, Barbera would move
past Edwards and alongside Birurakis, and then into the lead. At the bell, it was Barbera
at 8:10 with Birurakis less than a step behind also at 8:10 and Edwards a little back at 8:11.
Saunders was in 4th at 8:14 with Friend in 5th at 8:20 and Lake in 6th at 8:32. Shortly into
the turn Birurakis made a move for the front, but Barbera would hold him off, retaining the lead
as they came out of the turn. The pair was getting away from Edwards. On the backstretch
Barbera would start to open a gap on Birurakis. With 200 to go, though, the lead was still
only about 2 meters. But through the turn, Barbera would open the lead considerably, and he
would pull away for the impressive win in 9:11.41, which is the 6th Best All-Time State
Meet Performance and the 5th Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. He
closed the last lap in under 61 and ran the 2nd half in 4:30. Birurakis was very strong in
2nd at 9:15.05 which gives him the 9th Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance.
Edwards would easily hold the 3rd position in 9:22.50. Saunders was firmly in 4th at 9:26.96.
Friend kept the 5th spot in 9:36.51, and Lake easily held the 6th spot in 9:47.92.
RunWV's Current Score: 30 of 36.
110 Meter High Hurdles
Parkersburg South's Haden McConnell took the lead over the 7th hurdle and pulled
slightly away for the win in 15.04. Woodrow Wilson's Micah Hancock just edged out
Hedgesville's Oliver French for 2nd, 15.11 to 15.12. Parkersburg's Aaron Kupfner
was 4th in 15.40. Martinsburg's Doryn Smith was 5th in 15.63 with Cabell Midland's
Bryce Morris 6th in 15.68.
RunWV's Current Score: 35 of 42.
300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles
Cabell Midland's Stevie Ball controlled the race and was never threatened down the
stretch as he took the win in 40.18. Riverside's Carson Casto took the 2nd spot coming
over the final hurdle to finish in 40.81 to Capital's Karrington Hill's 41.11 in 3rd.
Spring Mills' Jacob Michael was in 7th coming off the next-to-last hurdle, but closed
very well to move up to 4th in 41.23, just ahead of Hedgesville's Aron Harmison in 5th
at 41.26. Martinsburg's Doryn Smith dominated the 1st heat with a 41.40, which was
good enough for 6th.
RunWV's Current Score: 39 of 48.
4x100 Meter Relay
The Wheeling Park foursome of Justin Levelle, Sincere Sinclair, Mayfield Jackson, and
Torrence Walker dominated the event, taking the win by over 0.9 seconds in 43.11. Morgantown
ran a strong 2nd from lane 8 in 44.05. Musselman was 3rd in 44.31. Spring Valley was 4th in
44.52. Huntington and Cabell Midland battled each other in the 1st heat and grabbed the final
two spots in 44.56 and 44.63, respectively. One of my predicted placers scratched from the
event.
RunWV's Current Score: 43 of 54.
4x200 Meter Relay
Capital got a really strong anchor leg from Malcolm Fletcher to slip past Wheeling
Park and give the group of Karrington Hill, Breece Hoff, Shawn James, and Malcolm Fletcher
the win in 1:30.39. Wheeling Park was easily 2nd in 1:30.65. Cabell Midland closed well for
3rd in 1:31.67. Musselman took the 4th spot in 1:32.20. Woodrow Wilson was 5th in 1:32.98.
Martinsburg rounded out the scoring in 1:33.61.
RunWV's Current Score: 48 of 60.
4x400 Meter Relay
Spring Mills lead through the 1st leg at about 52.3 with, I think, Jefferson in 2nd, Cabell Midland
in 3rd, and Wheeling Park in 4th. Actually, looking again, I think Jefferson had a slighgt
lead at the mark. On the 2nd leg, Cabell Midland took a late lead at about 1:44 with Wheeling
Park in a very close 2nd and Jefferson in 3rd. Spring Mills was in 4th at a mid 1:45. I think
it was Martinsburg and Preston coming through next. On the 3rd leg, Wheeling Park would take the
lead, coming through in 2:37 with Spring Mills in 2nd, also at 2:37, but high. Cabell Midland
was in 3rd at 2:38 with Jefferson in 4th at 2:39. Martinsburg was in 5th at 2:40. On the final
leg, it was Spring Mills' Kobe O'Niel moving into the lead right after they came out of the
turn. Cabell Midland, getting a strong 49.3 leg from Brett Armbruster pulled close with about
120 to go, but O'Niel would pull back away, taking his leg in 48.7 to give the foursome of Jacob
Michael, Zeead Belhachmi, Mason Williams, and Kobe O'Niel the win in 3:26.76. Cabell Midland
was a strong 2nd in 3:27.68. Wheeling Park would hold the 3rd spot in 3:30.35, just holding
off Jefferson's 3:30.67. Martinsburg was 5th in 3:33.10, and Parkersburg took the final spot
from the 1st heat with a 3:33.43.
RunWV's Current Score: 54 of 66.
4x800 Meter Relay
Things got out quickly with Parkersburg getting a 1:58.2 opening leg from Benjamin Lake
and Wheeling Park getting a 1:59 from Vincent DiProsperis. Cabell Midland was in 3rd
at 2:00. Preston was in 4th at 2:01. University was in 5th at 2:02 with Spring Mills in 6th
at 2:03. On leg 2, Wheeling Park would move into lead, then Cabell Midland took the lead
on the backstretch of the 2nd lap, then Wheeling Park would get it back. Then Parkersburg
would move into the lead coming out of the turn, but Wheeling Park would fight back and lead
at the line at 4:01 with Parkersburg pretty much at their side, also at 4:01. Cabell Midland
was in 3rd at 4:04. Spring Mills was up to 4th in 4:07. Preston was in 5th at 4:10 with
University in 6th at 4:11. Wheeling Park led the entirety of leg three, coming through in
6:03 with Parkersburg close behind in 6:04. Spring Mills was in 3rd at 6:09 with Cabell Midland
in 4th at 6:10. University was in 5th at 6:15 with Preston in 6th at also at 6:15. Wheeling
Park got a 1:57.2 anchor leg from Ronnie Saunders to completely take control for the
strong 8:01.29 win for the squad of Vincent DiProsperis, Eric Estep, C.J. Powell, and Ronnie
Saunders. Parkersburg easily held the 2nd spot in 8:04.70. Spring Mills got a 1:58,
maybe a 1:57.6 leg from Kobe O'Niel to hold the 3rd spot in 8:07.76, and they needed it
because Cabell Midland got a 1:58.8 leg from Brett Armbruster for the 4th spot in 8:09.64.
University would hold the 5th spot in 8:15.63. Musselman would move into the 6th spot in 8:16.84.
RunWV's Current Score: 59 of 72.
Shuttle Hurdle Relay
The Hedgesville unit of Jesse Cain, Sheldon Everhart, Aron Harmison, and Oliver French
took over late in the 2nd leg and throttled the competition with a 56.89 to win it by over 1.3
seconds. Parkersburg South took the 2nd spot in 58.20. Martinsburg snagged 3rd from the 3rd
heat in 58.65. Cabell Midland was 4th in 58.74. Woodrow Wilson was 5th in 59.04, and Musselman
was 6th in 59.37. Everyone else was over 1.4 seconds behind.
RunWV's Current Score: 65 of 78.
High Jump
Hurricane's Jalen Snyder repeated as champion by clearing 6'4 on his 1st attempt. Spring
Valley's Andrew Ball cleared 6'4 on his 2nd attempt to finish 2nd. Hedgesville's
Oliver French, Spring Mills' Christian Henderson, and Hedgesville's Sheldon
Everhart all cleared 6'2 on their 2nd attempt with total misses deciding that order. Cabell
Midland's Ty Sturm cleared 6'0 for the final spot.
RunWV's Current Score: 70 of 84.
Pole Vault
St. Albans' Steven Eaton repeated as champion by clearing 14'0 on his 2nd attempt.
Wheeling Park's Christian Sorge cleared 14'0 on his 3rd attempt for 2nd. Washington's
Frank Amore cleared 13'6 for 3rd. Ripley's Evan King cleared 13'0 with no misses
for 4th. Washington's Conor Wogan also cleared 13'0 for 5th. Morgantown's Lucas
Howell cleared 12'6 for 6th.
RunWV's Current Score: 74 of 90.
Long Jump
Hurricane's Jalen Snyder sailed 22'0 on his final jump to repeat as champion, one of
only 2 non-foul jumps on the day for him. Hedgesville's Oliver French went 21'9.25 on
his final jump to move into 2nd. Teammate Sheldon Everhart went 21'8.25 on his final
jump for 3rd. Spring Valley's Tyson Hall went 21'4.75 for 4th. Martinsburg's Matthew
VanDuzer hit 21'00 for 5th. Morgantown's Hunter Finn went 20'5.75 on his 1st jump,
and that held up for 6th by a quarter inch.
RunWV's Current Score: 72 of 96.
Shot Put
Cabell Midland's Gavin Beverage put on a show with each of his 5th legal throws bettering
the State Meet Record. His first went 61'11. His second went 62'9.50. His third went
63'8.50. His fourth went 64'4.50. After a foul on his 5th attempt, he nailed the last one,
sending it 65'10.50, which is easily the Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the
Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. Spring Valley's Doug Nester's
last five throws were all over 53'0 with his best being 56'0.50 for a strong 2nd. Wheeling
Park's Jermain Snodgrass hit one for 52'5.50 for 3rd. Spring Mills' Quinton Runge
just missed the 50' mark on his 1st attempt with a 49'10.25 for 4th. Hampshire's John
Hicks went 48'8'75 on his 1st attempt for 5th. Parkersburg's Shane Miller sent
his last one 47'11.75 for 6th.
RunWV's Current Score: 85 of 102.
Discus
Hampshire's John Hicks closed out the prelims with a toss of 179'4 which gave him the
win and the 3rd Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the 2nd Best All-Time Class
AAA State Meet Performance. Cabell Midland's Gavin Beverage opened the finals with
a 171'7 for a strong 2nd that also gives him the 10th Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet
Performance. Spring Valley's Doug Nester send his last throw 162'7 for 3rd.
Parkersburg's Shane Miller sailed one 158'0 for 4th. Everyone else was at least 14'
behind. Washington's Tyson Lincoln opened finals with a 144'0 throw (his best on the
day by over 18') for 5th. Parkersburg's Justin Waybright went 141'11 for 6th.
RunWV's Current Score: 89 of 108.
The final score of 89 of 108 means that 82.4% of the people picked to place did indeed place. Congratulations to those that proved me wrong.
Exceeding Predictions
The following athletes exceed my predictions by 3 or more places and deserve special mention.
Tyler Moler, Parkersburg -- 100 M (not picked, got 4th)
Tyler Moler, Parkersburg -- 200 M (picked 5th, got 2nd)
Cole Friend, Preston -- 1600 M (picked 6th, got 3rd)
Haden McConnell, Parkersburg South -- 110 HH (picked 4th, got 1st)
Caleb Casto, Riverside -- 300 IH (not picked, got 2nd)
Musselman -- 4x100 M (picked 6th, got 3rd)
(Ethan Walker, Ethan Tyson, Sebastian Oldham, Shamel McWright)
Wheeling Park -- 4x800 M (picked 4th, got 1st)
(Vincent DiProsperis, Eric Estep, C.J. Powell, Ronnie Saunders)
Spring Mills -- 4x800 M (not picked, got 3rd)
(Jacob Michael, Zeead Belhachmi, Travis Hoffman, Kobe O'Niel)
Parkersburg South -- Shuttle Hurdle Relay (picked 5th, got 2nd)
Haden McConnell, Corey Beverage, Landon Francisco, Levi Rice)
Frank Amore, Washington -- Pole Vault (not picked, got 3rd)
The following teams deserve kudos for scoring seven points or more higher than I predicted.
Class AAA Boys Parkersburg South +12 Washington + 9 George Washington + 8